Mechanic&#39;s square



Aug. 31, 1948. E. [(KING MECHANICS SQUARE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 15, 1945 Elm @JTFFIZ AG 4222 1 m vm W R l fix v N Aug. 31, 1948. E. 1. KING 2,448,440

' MECHANICS SQUARE ,Filed June 15, 1945 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig (7.

ani 429* I i '5 INVENTOR Elmerl.ffing.

. $9242 6 54%; awa M Patented Aug. 31, 1948 UNITED STATES 2,448,440 MECHANICS SQUARE Elmer I. King, Jeannette, Pa., assignor to The L. S. Starrett Company, Athol, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts 7 Application June 15, 1945, Serial No. 599,651'

Claims. 1

This invention relates to tools of the type used by artisans and mechanics known generally as universal squares, and to like implements.

--The conventional square of this type comprises a metal straight edge or rule with several scales on it, there being a scale along each edge on each face of the rule. There is a longitudinal groove in one face of the rule. Associated with the rule is a slide, which in the case of a universal square has one face which is at 90 to the edge of the rule and one at 45. The slide may be adjustably locked in any position along the rule by means of a Post element carried on the slide, which post engages in the groove in the rule. end of the post is threaded, and a clamping nut on the threaded end, when it istightened down, causes the'nib to be drawn against and to clamp one edge of the groove in the rule.

No means is normally provided for holding this post against rotation, except its engagement with the rule. Frequently it is desirable to turn the rule end-for-end in which case the post may rotate when the rule is removed and interfere with the rule being reinserted. Again, the operator of the'tool may desire to turn the rule over relatively to the slide in order to make one of the scales more readily available. To do this, he must loosen the holding means, remove the rule, rotate the post 180 and then turn the rule over and reinsert it. This is often quite annoying, because there is no way to gauge when the post has been turned 180 and if it is not turned to exactly the right position the insertion of the rule into the slide is obstructed. This is especially'annoying .when the mechanics hands are greasy and when, as is usually the case, he is right handed, requiring his right hand to loosen and tighten the clamping nut and also requiring his right hand for pulling outtlhe slide and reinserting it, so that he must shift the instrument from hand to hand several times in making the change.

While clamping devices intended to accelerate this turning of the rule have been provided, they are unsatisfactory in several respects.

The present invention has as its primary object the provision of a simple locking adjustment inwhich the post is normally restrained from rotation whether the rule is in the slide or not,- but which may be quickly and accurately rotated through an arc of 180 when the blade is to be reversed or turned over.

According to my invention the threaded end of the post has a turning element slidably but non-rotatably mounted thereon under the clamp- The other 5 against accidental rotation.

My invention maybe more, fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tool embodying 10 my invention;

Fig: 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale, the view being in the plane of line 11-11; of Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the'portion of the 5 part of the tool shown in Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is a transverse section in the plane of line IVIV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the clamping nut and associated parts on a largerscale than Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of a slightly modified construction.

In the drawings, 2'is a steel rule and 3 desighates-generally the slide of a universal square. The rule, which has a scale along each edge of each face, is provided in one face with a centrally positioned longitudinally extending groove 4 therein. It is of conventional form used in tools of this kind.

The slide 3 has a longitudinal slit therein to receive the rule, and it hasan end face 3a, a perpendicular face 3b and a face 30. It has the usual bubble tube 3d. There is a web 38 with 25 an opening 3) therethrough. The slide is formed with an integral barrel portion 39 therein through which is a central bore or hole 3h.

The locking means comprises a post 5 in the hole 3h, the post having an eccentric flattened extension 5a on which is an inwardly overhanging nib 6 that engages in the groove 4 of the rule, as shown in Fig. 2. I

The other end of the post 5 is threaded and is flattened on two sides. Screwed onto the end of 45 the post is a knurled clamping nut I, generally orelement 8 is interposed between the nut 1 and the end of the barrel 3g. This washer has a non circular hole (see Fig. 4) therein through which the post passes, so that the washer is slidable but non-rotatable on the post. The washer has two diametrically opposed ribs 8a on the inner face 3 thereof which normally seat in grooves or notches 9 in the end Wall of the barrel 39.

On the periphery of the washer 8 at diametrically opposite points are lugs In which are turned inwardly to engage in an annular groove la on the inner face of the nut 1. This enables the nut 1 to rotate on the post to screw one way or the other, and as it move pm or push-the washer or post-turning element 8 with it, allowing the nut to turn on the post while the washer does not turn on the post. Fig. 1 shows the preferred positions of the lugs I and ribs 8a but in Figs; 2, 3 and 5, the lugs are shown, for clearness of illustration 90 from the position sh'own in Fig; 1.

Either form is satisfactory.

Within the nut I is a cavity H and in this cavity is a compression spring: i3: which exerts pressure against washer 8, there being a small washer I4 providing a wear plate between spring l3 and washer 8. Thereis a slight play between thenut I and the washer: flwhiohthe: spring: I-3- takes. up.

Inuse, the not I is usually serewed dow-ni'tight against washer 8, pressing washer. against the end of the barrel With-the ribs 8a in the grooves 9 This pulls the. nib- 6 against-the lower: edge of the groove 4; the. rule tightly against the bottom of the slit to clamp the rule and; slide against relative movement. Upon slightly; loosening the clamping nut, the spring 13 will hold the Washer 8: againstthe end of the barrel, but-the elamping tension on-the. rule isrelieved to enable the slide to move along the rules If. the stile is entirely removed, the washer 8, by reason of the engagement of the ribs 8a withthe'. barrel 3g and the non-rotatable engagement of the washer 8 and the post, lroldsthe post from turning. If it.isvdesired-toturntherule over so. that the groove. fa/Cedinthe opposite direotion from Fig. 2, the "nut 1 may be loosened-further, and withthe. rule removed, the washer 8 is rotated dne-ilialftiirn when the ribs 8a will snap into-the grooves 9, indioatingthe half turn position, and indexing movement so'that the post will be accurately turned. 180". The pressure of the spring against the washer provides a kind :of frictron clutoh to cause the washer 8" to. rotatewi'th the nut 1' when the nut been. loosened and the rlile removed'fi'oni the slide. the Mile which has been turned over, is pot back in the slide and the nut I is tightened down.

For convenience la 'ooloredsdot or'otherindicating means l6-n1ay beplaced on the washer or turning element -8*to indicate the position of the nib, sothalt if the" operator is'inomentarily distreated. its positionwill be instantly known from the location of thisindieating means:

A cheaper butsomewhat less/ convenient arrangement'i-s shown-in Fig. 6; where the washer 8;. constructedas. hereinbefore described; a little lever o-r' lug' 8c thereon.- It does not have lugs similar to lugs I0, and no spring is req'uired. The hurt. I: normally holds the washer against rotation. butwh-en' the nut lis ulnsorewed sureciently, the. operator pushes the washer around one half turn with finger; atfter which the nut maybe tightened; Of course washer 8: is slidab-ly but non-rotatably' married on post 5-, as previously described-. 1

'I he oons truction of my invention; involves. little departure from: eonventionalltools of this type and while substantially increasing? the:

utilityv and. oo'nvenienoe of thesetools adds only a trivial amount to the cost. It normallyholds the: post. from turning but enables it,,uponre? moval of the rule, to be easily turned and accu-rately positioned. While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it may be modified in various respeots within the contemplation of my invention, and while I have specifically shown a slide having right angle and 45 angle faces, the involitionis.-:|ap'plieable other-tools oil this type using a; slide and a grooved rule.

I claim:

1. A tool of the class having a grooved rule and an adjustable slide with a. looking means on the slide engaging the groove in the rule c-ormzvrising apost in the slide having a nib on one end that engages in the moove in the rule and a threaded terminal with a nut thereon, wherein there is apost-turning element slidably and non-rotatab-ly engaged with the post interposed between the nut; and a poiition of the slide, and means on the post-turning element releasably interfittedwith a; portionof the slide for indexing the post-turning element.

2. A tool of the class having a. grooved rule and an. adjustable slidewith a. locking means on the slide engaging the groove in the rule'eom-v [prising a. post inthe slide having a: nib on'one end that engages in the, groove in: the rule and a threaded terminal with a. nut thereon, wherein theme isapostetm'ning. elementslidalb ly and :non-# rotatably engaged with'the' post interposed be tween the nut and a. portion of the slide; means on the post-turning element releasably interfitted with a pontion of the slidefor indexing: the post-turning element, and-spring means oper-atively positioned between the nut-and the post turning element. v

3. A toolof the class having a grooved; rule and an adjustable slide with :alocking means on the slide engaging the groove in the-rule oomprising a post in the: slide having Ia nib-on one end that engages in the g-roove-inthe ruleand \athreaided terminal with-annt thereon, wherein there. isa post-turning elementslidably andnomretatalbly engaged with the post interposed be tween the nut and a portion ofthe s-lide,. means. on the post-turning element releasably inter fitted with' a political of the slid-efor indexing; the post-turning element, spring means. were :atively positioned between the nut' an d the ipostturning element;- and means for oonneeting thenut and: post-turning element for movement to-e gether along the post. and permitting rotation of the nut relatively to-the post-turning ele ment 4. In a tool; having a centrally located longttu-dinal-ly extendinggnoove in one: faoethereofi land a. slide elerrnentin which :the groove is em gaged, a post elemen-t i-n-the slide; having an art-- centric. and: with a nib thereon engaging the 'EIOOVIG 'lIl the rulethe other end of the-post beirrg: threaded and having an adjusting nut thereon; the slide having :a barrel portion through which the post extends, awasher-like member slida/bly but non--rotatably engaged on thethreadedz end of the post,.said:- washer like element being interposed betweenthe nutand the barrel, and interfitting recess and pnojecting elements on the washer and. barrel at positi onsrsepanated. for locking the washerlikerme'mber to the barrel: in either of two'positions;

5. In. a tool. having. a centrally located 1ongitu.-- dinally extending groove in one face'thereof: and; a slide element in which the. groove is-engagedg. a post element inthe slide-having an eccentric: and with a nib. thereon: engaging; the groove in: the;

rule, the other end of the post being threaded and having an adjusting nut thereon, the slide having a barrel portion through which the post extends, a washer-like member slidable but nonrotatab-ly engaged on the threaded end of the post, said washer-like element being interposed between the nut and the barrel, interfitting recess and projecting elements on the washer and barrel at positions separated 180 for locking the washer-like member to the barrel in either of two positions, and means connecting the nut and washerlike member for relative independent rotation and joint longitudinal movement.

6. In a tool having a centrally located longitudinally extending groove in one face thereof and a slide element in which the groove is engaged, a post element in the slide having an eccentric and with a nib thereon engaging the groove in the rule, the other nd of the post being threaded and having an adjusting nut thereon, the slide having a barrel portion through which the post extends, a washer-like member slidable but nonrotatably engaged on the threaded end of the post, said washer-like element being interposed between the nut and the barrel, interfitting recess and projecting elements on the washer and barrel at positions separated 180 for locking the washer-like member to the barrel in either of two positions, means connecting the nut and washerlike member for relative independent rotation and joint longitudinal movement, and spring means operatively interposed between the nut and the washer-like member.

7. In a tool of the class described, a slide, a post rotatable in the slide, a nut on the post for clamping it in locked position, and means interposed between the nut and slide normally held against movement by the nut for indexing the turning movement of the post and when the nut is tight, holding the post from turning, said means including a washer-like member slidably and nonrotatably carried on the post and retained in place by the nut, the washer-like member having a projection releasably interfitted with the slide.

8. In a tool of the class described, a slide, a post rotatable in the slide, a nut on the post for clamping it in locked position, and means interposed between the nut and slide normally held against movement by the nut for indexing the turning movement of the post and when the nut is tight, holding the post from turning, said means including a Washer-like member slidably and nonrotatably carried on the post and retained in place by the nut, the washer-like member having a projection releasabl interfitted with the slide, the washer having a lever thereon by means of which it may be turned when the nut is loose to thereby turn the post.

9. In a tool of the class described, a slide, a post rotatable in the slide, a nut on the post for clamping it in locked position, and means interposed between the nut and slide normally held against movement by the nut for indexing the turning movement of the post and when the nut is tight, holding the post from turning, said means including a Washer-like member slidably and nonrotatably carried on the post and retained in place by the nut, the washer-like member having a projection releasably interfitted with the slide.

10. In an instrument wherein a rule formed with a groove along one face thereof is releasably secured to a head slotted to receive the rule, said head being formed with a bore in the plane of the slot and with aligned grooves formed in the material of the head at the end of the bore remote from the slot, a clamping bolt received in said bore, its end within the confines of the slot being formed to present a finger having at its free end a transverse rib to be received in the groove in the face of the rule, said bolt intermediate its ends having a non-circular portion formed on the bolt and a washer having a noneircular perforation formed therein to fit slidably on the non-circular portion of the clamping bolt and having a pair of projections formed on one face thereof and engageable in the aligned grooves in the head whereby the transverse rib on the finger of the bolt may be presented to the groove in the rule to engage either face of the rule to either side of the head.

ELMER I. KING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 215,024 Sturrett May 6, 1879 1,036,491 Henderson Aug. 20, 1912 1,918,557 Pfeiffer July 18, 1933 2,122,875 Witchger July 5, 1938 

